What to expect when working with a personal stylist
When talking about my job with most people, I get a variety of responses. They can range from ‘that’s sounds so glamourous!’ to ‘what does a stylist do exactly?’ and my personal favourite, ‘you must spend all your time shopping, how much fun would that be!’ The truth, as it often is, is found somewhere in between all of these.
I find that it is a common misconception that stylists are all about shopping and not much else, when in actual fact shopping only makes up a very small (ok and yes fun!) part of my job. Day to day, I spend time learning about upcoming trends and building relationships with local stores and labels. I prepare for meetings and conduct research for upcoming clients. Most of my initial research is conducted online, and since I am not purchasing items for myself I don’t count it as online shopping!!
“... if I do my job correctly, you should be able to come out the other side of a styling package with a new appreciation for the items already in your wardrobe, and only needing to purchase a few key items to pull it all together.”
Another misconception I come across is an expectation that a stylist will walk into your wardrobe, roll up their sleeves and proceed to toss every item you own in garbage bags before ushering you out the door and into an entirely new (but fabulous) wardrobe. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth! In fact, if I do my job correctly, you should be able to come out the other side of a styling package with a new appreciation for the items already in your wardrobe, and only needing to purchase a few key items to pull it all together.
Working with a stylist can actually save you money long term, as you move from simply purchasing items you like at random, to having a carefully curated wardrobe with only items you love and regularly wear.
Let me ask you a question; how many items do you currently have in your wardrobe that have never been worn or still have the tags on? Or do you have a favourite top that you only wear to work and have never considered wearing on the weekend? Or perhaps a pretty dress that you only wear for brunches with the girls that you have never considered as an item for work?
Stylists help you break down perceptions of your clothing and teach you how to get more versatility from your wardrobe, so you spend less time wondering why you have nothing to wear, and more time on the things that matter!
One of my favourite moments as a stylist is when I show a client a garment that I want them to try on while shopping. Invariably I get a response something along the lines of ‘Oh, I will try it on but it won’t work’. A few minutes later when they emerge from the change room they are often surprised at how good they look in it, and will make the observation that they never would have picked it out for themselves but they love it on.
As humans we are conditioned to gravitate towards things we know we will like, which is why you have 10 dresses that are all a variation of the same theme sitting in your wardrobe. Stylists will help you break out of that pattern and open you up to possibilities – and colours, textures and patterns – you never thought possible!
Written by Elyse, Brisbane Stylist. After working in the corporate world for almost 2 decades she took the plunge to pursue her creative side and love of fashion and launched her own styling business.
Location: Brisbane
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